Ogun ACN youth cause mayhem in council secretariat

Hundreds of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, youth in Odeda Local
Government Area of Ogun Stateon Thursday caused a stampede in the
council following a protest against the council chairman, Sulaiman
Adebayo.
At least eight officials of the secretariat were assaulted by the
protesters,PREMIUM TIMES learnt.
The protesters blocked the council secretariat, preventing workers
from entering. They also blocked the Abeokuta-Ibadan Road; carrying
various placards alleging insensitivity on the part of Mr. Adebayo.
Some of the placards read: Mr. Governor, our chairman is taking the
youths and women for granted in this local government; Enough is
enough; etc.
The protesters who made bonfire on major streets in the town also
accused the governor, Ibikunle Amosun, of imposing the chairman on the
council and accused the party leaders of not calling the chairman to
orderwhile he was misbehaving.
According to sources, the confusion which engulfed the town was the
climax of the series of complaints against the local government
chairman by the youth.
Speaking with journalists, the leader of the youth, Kazeem Lawal
accusedthe council chairman of not bringing the dividends of democracy
to them.
"We have made very frantic moves to see the chairman but he has not
been forthcoming," Mr. Lawal said.
He explained that the negative behavior of the chairman had continued
toforce many members of the ACN to pitch tent with the Labour Party.
He declared that youth in the local government would not go with the
ACN should the party decide to field the current chairman for the next
local government election.
The council chairman and the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff, Shuaib
Salisu, who were heading to the troubled spot had to make a detour for
fear of being attacked by the angry youth who were bent on creating
moretrouble in the local government.
However, the presence of the Area Commander of Police in charge of the
area, Tony Ekpo, later brought the situation under control. He led the
embattled chairman to the protesting youth, who, after listening to
him, decided to cease fire to allow for dialogue. A meeting has been
scheduled for Friday at the council secretariat.